1 I do fully testify, then, before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who is about to judge living and dead at his manifestation and his reign --

I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom:

2 p reach the word; be earnest in season, out of season, convict, rebuke, exhort, in all long-suffering and teaching,

preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.

3 f or there shall be a season when the sound teaching they will not suffer, but according to their own desires to themselves they shall heap up teachers -- itching in the hearing,

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires,

4 a nd indeed, from the truth the hearing they shall turn away, and to the fables they shall be turned aside.

and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.

5 A nd thou -- watch in all things; suffer evil; do the work of one proclaiming good news; of thy ministration make full assurance,

But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

6 f or I am already being poured out, and the time of my release hath arrived;

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.

7 t he good strife I have striven, the course I have finished, the faith I have kept,

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;

8 h enceforth there is laid up for me the crown of the righteousness that the Lord -- the Righteous Judge -- shall give to me in that day, and not only to me, but also to all those loving his manifestation.

in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing. Personal Concerns

9 B e diligent to come unto me quickly,

Make every effort to come to me soon;

10 f or Demas forsook me, having loved the present age, and went on to Thessalonica, Crescens to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia,

for Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.

11 L ukas only is with me; Markus having taken, bring with thyself, for he is profitable to me for ministration;

Only Luke is with me. Pick up Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service.

12 a nd Tychicus I sent to Ephesus;

But Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.

13 t he cloak that I left in Troas with Carpus, coming, bring thou and the books -- especially the parchments.

When you come bring the cloak which I left at Troas with Carpus, and the books, especially the parchments.

14 A lexander the coppersmith did me much evil; may the Lord repay to him according to his works,

Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds.

15 o f whom also do thou beware, for greatly hath he stood against our words;

Be on guard against him yourself, for he vigorously opposed our teaching.

16 i n my first defence no one stood with me, but all forsook me, (may it not be reckoned to them!)

At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them.

17 a nd the Lord stood by me, and did strengthen me, that through me the preaching might be fully assured, and all the nations might hear, and I was freed out of the mouth of a lion,

But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was rescued out of the lion’s mouth.

18 a nd the Lord shall free me from every evil work, and shall save -- to his heavenly kingdom; to whom the glory to the ages of the ages! Amen.

The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

19 S alute Prisca and Aquilas, and Onesiphorus' household;

Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.

20 E rastus did remain in Corinth, and Trophimus I left in Miletus infirm;

Erastus remained at Corinth, but Trophimus I left sick at Miletus.

21 b e diligent to come before winter. Salute thee doth Eubulus, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.

Make every effort to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, also Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brethren.

22 T he Lord Jesus Christ with thy spirit; the grace with you! Amen.

The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.